Zipline lets you see Grand Falls in a scary, new way

Visitors to Grand Falls can view the water from a new zipline that transverses the falls.

Photographed by:Handout photo, Zig Zag

Structural engineer Eric Oullette has absolute faith in his designs and calculations for the load-bearing structures he builds around Canada.

That’s why he volunteered to be the first person to take a spin on Canada’s scariest zip line.

Oullette, 36, has designed and built a zip line that shoots across the St. John River Gorge in Grand Falls, New Brunswick. Grand Falls derives its name from the grand falls created by the St. John River plunging into a deep gorge in the heart of town.

At this time of year - with New Brunswick’s heavy snow load melting – the St. John volume flowing over the falls is equivalent to 90 per cent of the flow over Niagara Falls.

But that water has to pass through a rocky gorge much narrower than the Niagara Gorge and as a result the roar of rushing water is much louder and the exploding white water leaps higher in the air.

At least on Oullette’s Zip Zag you get to wear a harness, a helmut and sit in a sling for the 180-metre-long ride across the torrent. No safety harness supported evangelist Joseph Van Morrell in the spring of 1904 when he walked across the rapids on a tightrope.

The 36-year-old Van Morrell, a resident of Maine, which is a little less than two kilometres away, ventured out 10 metres over the raging waters, but then back pedaled to shore, confusing the huge crowd on the banks.

He had forgotten to calculate for the afternoon sun, which was glaring in his eyes. He walked across a vehicle bridge and started out again on the rope from the opposite bank. When he reached the middle, he did a headstand.

Today’s riders mostly just hang on tight and scream.

It costs $40, but that’s for a return ticket. When you reach Lovers Lane on the north shore, you disengage to hook onto a second line and zip back again following Van Morrell’s route.

In April and May only groups of 15 or more can buy tickets and they pay $30/head. Oullette said he can marry you to a group if you’re a couple, family or just roaming by your lonesome when you arrive at the Zip Zag launch site.

And if it’s your birthday, you ride at half price. Oullette is giving his neighbours a price break too. If you’re a resident of Madawaska or Victoria counties, you can ride for $30 … but not at night.

Night is popular and full price applies.

Riders need to walk about one-third of a mile on a dirt trail and climb stairs. Oullette recommends riders be relatively healthy and fit. He said a 95-year-old man was among the 5,200 riders who zipped across the river last year.

The heavier you are, the faster you’ll zip. Oullette’s Zip Zag has a top limit of 275 pounds and a minimum weight of 75 pounds, but very light passengers can ride over strapped to a guide.

Oullette’s crew will film your venture for $25.

You don’t need to zip to marvel at the spectacle of the St. John in full spring force. The Ron Turcotte Bridge carries Grand Falls’ main street across the gorge.

The bridge is named after the town’s most famous resident – jockey Ron Turcotte. He rode Secretariat in 1973 to the first Triple Crown win in 25 years. He was one of thoroughbred horseracing’s most successful jockeys when he tumbled from his mount at Belmont Park in 1978 and was left a paraplegic.